Nigeria (Commonwealth Union)_ Dr. Peter Mbah, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for governor of Enugu, has introduced a health insurance program with a ₦2 million premium for 100 needy individuals in Nkanu East. The program was launched to mark the one year anniversary of the St. Cecilia Memorial Hospital in Owo, Nkanu East LGA, which was constructed and furnished by his nonprofit, the Peter Mbah Foundation, and inaugurated in November 2021. The health insurance launch was done in collaboration with the Enugu State Agency for Universal Health Coverage.
According to Chika Mbah, manager of the charity, patients might still pay at their own rates owing to the region’s poverty. In the meantime, prior to the 2023 general elections, the residents of Anikenano and Awgu Central development centers, both located in the Awgu local government area of Enugu, have urged Mbah to identify new projects and attract development that could bring major changes to the council area and highlighted their intention to vote for him and the other PDP candidates in the upcoming polls. The people made their demands during the town hall meetings held in Mgbidi and Awgu, the development centers’ respective headquarters.
In the meantime, Pedro Nwankwo, chairman of Awgu local government, asked Mbah to make use of his private sector experiences throughout the state, especially in Awgu, following his inauguration as governor in 2023. Okey Udeh, chairman of the PDP in Awgu LGA, drew Mbah’s attention to the non-appointment of an Awgu native as commissioner since 1999 and encouraged him to rectify this claimed injustice if he wins governorship. Toby Okechukwu, the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, also asked Mbah to make use of the opportunity to examine the topography and use his experience in the private sector to transform the area into a revenue-generating region to contribute to the economy of the state.
In response, Mbah emphasized that he saw high potential in the regions and pledged to keep his word. The PDP governorship candidate said: “When I was driving up to this place, the only thing I saw were opportunities. I could not stop admiring the opportunities and the beauty here. By the time we are done with this place, everyone will be scrambling to live here. We will transform here into a world-class tourism center.”
